Unlike Western parents, reminding my child of Lord Voldemort didn't bother me.

There's nothing better for building confidence than learning you can do something you thought you couldn't.

My goal as a parent is to prepare you for the future, not to make you like me.

My dogs can't do anything--and what a relief. I don't make any demands of them, and I don't try to shape them or their future. For the most part, I trust them to make the right choices for themselves. I always look forward to seeing them, and I love just watching them sleep. What a great relationship.

Don't assume your child is weak. If you, the parent, assume that they can't take anymore, what kind of signal are you sending them?

Questioning authority is, I think, a great thing to instill in children. I just didn't have enough of that when I was little.

But just because you love something, I added to myself, doesn't mean you'll ever be great. Not if you don't work. Most people stink at the things they love.